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In Mideast Strife, Bush Sees a Step to Peace

[Washington Post] Michael Abramowitz - President Bush's unwillingness to pressure Israel to halt its military campaign in Lebanon is rooted in a view of the Middle East conflict that is sharply different from that of his predecessors. This week, even in the face of growing international demands, the White House has studiously avoided any hint of impatience with Israel. While making it plain it wants civilian casualties limited, the administration is also content to see the Israelis inflict the maximum damage possible on Hizballah. Bush believes that the status quo - the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of hitting a U.S. ally - is unacceptable. The U.S. position also reflects Bush's deepening belief that Israel is central to the broader campaign against terrorists and represents a shift away from a more traditional view that the U.S. plays an "honest broker's" role in the Middle East. One former senior administration official said Bush is only emboldened by the pressure from UN officials and European leaders to lead a call for a cease-fire.
2006-07-21 01:00:00
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